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The Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

Feb 16, 2016

Are you a tea drinker? If so, chances are you know how good it can make you feel. If not, you're missing out! There are so many varieties of tea -- black, white, green, rooibos, oolong, and more. Truthfully, all are good for your health, although some varieties are more beneficial.

It's all about Green Tea today on the Seed blog.

Tea offers antioxidant benefits.

The main benefit to drinking tea is the abundance of antioxidants they possess.

One of the questions I am asked most about is antioxidants -- more specifically, how they work in skin care products. Whenever my friends ask me about antioxidants, I say that I consider them to be great skin defenders. Our products are rich in antioxidants.

Think of the term "antioxidant" as a shield against harmful flying objects. In reality, these "flying objects" are free radicals.Free radicals are molecules that cause tissue damage and aging. These could be things such as cigarette smoke, radiation, UV rays, pesticides, various drugs, smog, and other forms of environmental pollution.

Picture these harmful microscopic contaminants swirling around you. Antioxidants will help shield you from harm, essentially. Think of them as superheroes! They are special molecules that can help stop those free radicals -- they are able to neutralize their effects.

Not just skin protective, antioxidants may help improve cholesterol, protect against Alzheimer's, and lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

Younger Looking Skin With Green Tea

In skin care, Green Tea holds so many remarkable benefits.

Green Tea is a powerhouse antioxidant which has been shown to significantly halt the glycation process while promoting collagen synthesis. What is glycation? Simply put, it is the process of sugar proteins damaging the collagen and elastin in the skin. Choosing skin care products formulated with Green Tea can help fight glycation and minimize the signs of skin aging caused by dietary indiscretions such as excess sugar consumption.

The EGCG in Green Tea also helps protect against free radicals. Free radicals not only impact your health, but they negatively impact your skin. UV damage, smoke and other pollutants can wreak havoc on your skin, accelerating the aging process and damaging cells. This damage causes collagen and elastin to break down, making you look older, as we just mentioned with the glycation process.

When you apply skin care treatments with antioxidants, you may be shielding your skin from harm. There are actually several published, peer-reviewed studies about tea and the skin. One that stands out to me is the one published in the American Association for Cancer Research, which talks about tea’s ability to help prevent UVB damage. Look for skin care products with Green Tea on the ingredients label.

The Matcha/Mental Clarity Connection

Matcha -- an antioxidant-rich green tea powder -- was introduced to Japan in 1191 by Eisai, a Buddhist monk. Eisai is believed to have planted the first green tea seeds in Japan. He is even more well known for having developed the philosophy known as Zen. Since that time, Matcha and Zen meditation have been intertwined through the tea ceremony. It is believed that Buddhist monks drank Matcha to help them feel grounded and calm with a sense of clarity while meditating for long periods of time. The tradition has continued centuries later.

Matcha is not your typical green tea -- it may take ten cups of green tea to give you the benefits of just one cup of Matcha. What is unique about this drink, as opposed to a cup of coffee, is that it is believed to increase your mental clarity while making you feel at peace. Next time you head to the yoga studio, try sipping Matcha -- it will allow you to be in the moment while being better able to concentrate on each pose.